9 Incredible Soundtracks That Were Almost Better Than Their Games
5. Red Dead Redemption (2010)
Composer(s): Bill Elm and Woody Jackson One of the first games by Rockstar to feature an original soundtrack, Red Dead Redemption quickly impressed critics and fans with its appropriately Western influences. As a testament to their dedication, composers Bill Elm and Woody Jackson even went as far to consult with musicians of traditional Western instruments, such as harmonica player Tommy Morgan. Together, Elm and Jackson recorded over fourteen hours of music for the game, drawing inspiration from legendary film composer Ennio Morricone in order to create the necessary atmosphere for the games setting. In fact, at times it seems as though the soundtrack is paying direct homage to the Italian composer, utilising his distinct arrangement of flutes and whistles to create a sound reminiscent of the main theme from Sergio Leones The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P3ElYrPhsU Like Grim Fandango, the soundtrack to Red Dead Redemption is perfect for escapists like me who enjoy spending their spare time imagining themselves as hard-boiled detectives or lonesome cowboys respectively. The sense of orchestral scale really feeds into this desire, creating a feeling of exploration, and tapping into the listeners desire for adventure in the frontiers of the old west. Further Listening: Anything that Ennio Morricone has composed for the purposes of a Sergio Leone film, including the soundtracks to A Fistful of Dollars (1967), For a Few Dollars More (1965) and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1968).
